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07-15-2018, 04:39 PM | #1 |
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Headlight surface speckles
Anyone ever had this problem with their headlights?
It's not pitting from everyday driving... It's too evenly distributed throughout both headlights. Microcracks, maybe? Any idea how to clean this up?
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07-15-2018, 07:20 PM | #2 |
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You could possibly polish them
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07-15-2018, 10:32 PM | #3 |
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I used Meguiar's Swirl Remover and it didn't do a thing. Then I tried Meguiar's PlastX and that had no effect, either.
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07-16-2018, 06:47 AM | #4 |
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I have the same symptom. Have done my headlights with my DA during paint correction with no change to their appearance.
To me the small spots appear like very small voids in the lens, or spots on the inner surface. On mine the exterior surface is very smooth and clean/clear.
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07-16-2018, 02:08 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Also, there some areas around the turn signals that seem rough as if there's some coating (UV?) that's coming off. Polish doesn't seem to remove it, but I can scratch it off with my fingernail.
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07-16-2018, 03:00 PM | #6 |
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Those areas may need actual compounding, or even wet sanding to resolve what you can feel/scrape off with a finger nail.
Beware however, at that point you're also potentially removing the factory UV coating so will need to re-coat or face repeating the process every 6-8 months
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07-16-2018, 10:58 PM | #7 | |
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First things first, though: Let see if I can get rid of those annoying speckles.
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07-19-2018, 08:29 AM | #9 |
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It could well be... If that's the case, I'm screwed.
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07-19-2018, 04:37 PM | #11 |
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Nope, not dirt... It wouldn't be so evenly distributed in BOTH headlights.
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07-19-2018, 05:20 PM | #12 |
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Yup-same as mine...
Almost like a heavy scattering of tiny air bubbles in the lens If only it wasn't such a PITA to pull the lens off
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07-19-2018, 10:44 PM | #13 |
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Picked up a 3M Headlight Restoration Kit... Now I'm wondering is it worth the trouble or will I really screw up the headlights.
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07-24-2018, 08:34 AM | #14 |
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As others have said, once you remove the protective layer, they will yellow much, much faster. What I have never tried is polishing them and then coating them with that clear body protective film. Mine are fairly pitted, but I suspect it's just rock chips. If I ever decide to polish them, I will try the film and see if that keeps them looking clear longer.
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07-24-2018, 10:18 PM | #15 |
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They're not. As I've said more than once, they're way too evenly distributed on the headlight housing.
The more I inspect and stare at it, the more I think they're on the inside of the housing.
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07-25-2018, 12:29 AM | #16 |
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The only time I've seen that happen on the inside is when I hit a deer with my car. It separated the headlight housing on the bottom and condensation would form inside after a good rain. When the lights were on for a while, it would evaporate and leave spots. If you have it on both, that's not likely unless you have leaky seals on both headlights.
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07-25-2018, 09:00 AM | #17 |
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I was looking into doing something with my headlights. I talked to my trusted body shop and they said they could polish the lenses and then spray clear coat over them.
Then I hit a deer. So I had two new headlights installed. I was still considering doing something about the headlights now that they are new. I decided to have 3M film installed over them. One thing I can say is, it's amazing even with a garage kept car how much of a beating the headlights take. I thought the old headlights were still in fairly good condition even with the pitting from road crap hitting them. But when I first drove at night with the new headlights, it's amazing how much brighter the lights are with new lenses. |
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07-25-2018, 10:25 PM | #18 |
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Not going to see any deer in my neck of the woods.
At this point, it's more of an personal annoyance rather than anything. If they are microcracks, it might be from heating and cooling over time caused by the halogen bulbs. I've got to think it's not going to get better and sometime down the line I'll have to bite the bullet and replace both of headlamps.
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07-27-2018, 10:21 PM | #21 | |
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I'm not going through all that trouble to do that, since I'm pretty convinced the problem is on the inside. If I go through all that, it'll be to replace the headlight units.
Quote:
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07-27-2018, 11:22 PM | #22 |
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dude,
it may have been obvious to some but not to all, post 5 is where you even mention that it is not on the outside, even I missed that reply. so your answer is "thanks" mine would be "your welcome" c a little bit of courtesy, doesn't hurt does it ? |
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